Congressional Veteran Commendation

Overview

The Congressional Veteran Commendation (CVC) is a nominations-based program designed to recognize the wartime sacrifices and peacetime community involvement of residents of the 17th Congressional District of Texas. Honorees are exceptional Americans in every way. The 2025 CVC honorees will be recognized by Congressman Pete Sessions at a date to be determined later this year.

Rules & Requirements

Fill out the 2025 Congressional Veteran Commendation Nomination form to apply. See attachment below.

Eligibility

  • Veteran must currently reside in the 17th Congressional District of Texas. To verify, please visit www.house.gov and enter the veteran’s ZIP code in the “Find Your Representative" box.
  • Veteran was active duty in the United States armed forces or was a reservist called to active duty.
  • Veteran retired from the United States armed forces or was honorably discharged.

Nomination Instructions

Please send the following items, in one cohesive package, to 400 Austin Ave., Suite 302, Waco, Texas 76701-2139 by August 15, 2025:

  • The nomination form at the bottom of the page should be completed in its entirety.  
  • A 1–2 page letter, addressed to Congressman Pete Sessions, which details why you believe the nominee should receive the 17th District’s Congressional Veteran Commendation. The letter should contain as much information as possible about the veteran’s heroism while in the military and community involvement thereafter.
  • A current photo of the veteran
  • DD-214
  • Copies of photos, military records, news clippings and other two-dimensional memorabilia that help you to tell the story of the veteran’s military and community service. These items are considered supplemental and are not required; should you choose to submit them, do not submit originals. Please limit your nomination packet to three 8.5" x 11” pages of supplemental materials.

2024 TX-17 Congressional Veterans Commendation Award Recipients

Cheryl Brady, U.S. Army (Nacogdoches)

Linda Conner, U.S. Air Force (Lufkin)

William Reeves, U.S. Army (Trinity)

Milton Ladnier, U.S. Army (Crockett)

Rickey Hurst, U.S. Army (Nacogdoches)

Bobby Broneske, U.S. Air Force (Huntsville)

Andrew Huffman, U.S. Air Force (Centerville)

Earnest Barron, U.S. Navy (Huntsville)

Robert Rochell, U.S. Army (Woodway)

Donald Johnson, U.S. Army (Groesbeck)

Donald McDonald, U.S. Marine Corps (Groesbeck)

Harold Rafuse, U.S. Air Force (Crawford)

Jimmie Hanes, Jr., U.S. Air Force (Crawford)

Joseph Robert, U.S. Air Force (Mart)

Luis Lopez, U.S. Marine Corps (Waco)

Walter Lavender II, U.S. Navy (Lorena)

2023 TX-17 Congressional Veteran Commendation Award Recipients

Jason Bradford, U.S. Marine Corps (Nacogdoches)

Ellen Brooks, U.S. Air Force (Crockett)

Brian Crews, U.S. Marine Corps (Lufkin)

Arnold Gray, U.S. Army (Groesbeck)

David Knesek, U.S. Navy (Cameron)

John Knue, U.S. Air Force (Robinson)

Kenneth Lee, U.S. Marine Corps (Huntsville)

Mark Lee, U.S. Air Force (Pflugerville)

Jerry Lorton, U.S. Army (Cameron)

Bob Solenberger, U.S. Army (McGregor)

Vince Tobola, U.S. Air Force (Waco)

James Villa, U.S. Marine Corps (Waco)

John Wells, U.S. Army (Woodway)

ImageCongressman Sessions with 2023 CVC Recipients